A plot allegedly sponsored by councillors and political leaders loyal to a governorship aspirant to embarrass the Executive Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, has been uncovered.
Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo, widely regarded as one of the best-performing council chairmen in Ogun State due to his focus on development and community upliftment, is said to be the target of a planned disruption within the council.
Sources within the local government disclosed that the move is expected to be carried out before the end of this week or in the early days of next month.
A serving councillor, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, revealed that some party leaders aligned with a governorship aspirant are unhappy with the chairman, whom they consider too loyal to Governor Dapo Abiodun. The source also alleged that the local government party chairman, Alhaja Faidat Akintunde Sarumi, is perceived to be influencing decisions within the council.
According to the councillor, part of the grievance stems from the chairman’s refusal to give out “Owo Odun” and his alleged failure to support the political ambitions of certain leaders.
Further findings indicate that some councillors are also motivated by financial expectations, believing they should be receiving more funds from the council leadership.
However, the source noted that the chairman currently provides monthly financial support to councillors and allows them to execute constituency projects — a practice described as unprecedented in the local government. Despite this, some councillors are allegedly acting under external political pressure to destabilise the council.
He added that not all councillors support the planned disruption, stressing that many are uncomfortable with the plot.
Political observers are now calling on key state and party leaders, including the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat; the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; the APC State Organising Secretary, Hon. Yemi Adelani; and the party chairman, Alhaja Faidat Akintunde Sarumi, to intervene.
Stakeholders fear that failure to act promptly could lead to a crisis similar to what occurred in Ota Local Government, where councillors suspended and later impeached the chairman before higher authorities intervened.